A significant fire broke out at the Putera Puteri Malaysian restaurant in Bayswater, West London, on Tuesday afternoon, April 22, leading to road closures and severe traffic disruption.
Just before 3.40pm, flames erupted in the basement of the popular eatery located on Queensway. More than 40 firefighters from Paddington, North Kensington, and Kensington stations responded swiftly to the emergency.
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) launched a large-scale operation to combat the blaze inside the commercial property. The fire was eventually extinguished later that evening, though crews remained on site to identify and extinguish hotspots and ensure the area remained safe.
The incident forced the closure of Queensway (B411) and parts of the A4206 Bishops Bridge Road, affecting the stretch between Westbourne Grove and Porchester Road. This led to significant traffic gridlock as buses and cars were diverted.
Transport for London issued a warning stating: “A4206 Bishops Bridge Road in both directions closed due to building fire between B411 Queensway and Porchester Road. Diversion routes are in place for local buses.”
By 7.57pm, the A4206 reopened, but Queensway remained closed while fire investigators continued their work at the scene.
The London Fire Brigade confirmed that the cause of the fire is still under investigation. Fortunately, no injuries were reported during the incident. However, local businesses and commuters experienced considerable disruption throughout the day.
Residents shared distressing photos and videos showing thick smoke billowing from the restaurant as firefighters in full breathing apparatus battled the blaze.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “Crews acted quickly to contain the fire to the basement area. Our fire investigators will now begin the process of establishing how it started. We thank the public for their patience while roads remain closed.”
Neighbours were advised to keep windows closed due to lingering smoke in the area. Bus routes remained diverted well into the evening as emergency teams worked tirelessly on site.
This incident adds to a series of fires affecting central London locations this spring. Authorities are urging business owners to review and reinforce fire safety measures to help prevent future emergencies.
Originally published by UKNIP.
